Program Meeting Mar 28, 7 pm–Antarctica and the Sub-Antarctic Islands

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Presenter Magnus Persmark.  Antarctica is a continent of superlatives: the driest, the coldest, the harshest, least inhabited, the most remote, the last explored. The South Pole was reached just over 100 years ago. It has lured adventurers for centuries and it continues to draw explorers, scientists, and naturalists. For naturalists, however, the surrounding islands, particularly South Georgia and Falkland Islands, are equally appealing, thanks to an astonishing concentration of marine mammals and birds.

The Antarctic region is home to such charismatic mammals as whales, seals, and sea lions. Its avian fauna abounds with species that breed nowhere else: penguins, albatrosses, petrels, prions, sheath bills, and even a few passerines. Though fur seals and whales were driven nearly to extinction by hunting populations in the past, they have rebounded, some to pre-exploitation levels. Today the region’s environment, flora, and fauna enjoy protection under the Antarctic Treaty, yet its ecosystems are facing stress from global warming.

Against this backdrop, Magnus Persmark and his wife, Rosie Hammond, joined a January cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic peninsula. At the height of the Austral summer, this is the “warmest” time of year and the infamous Drake’s Passage is at its calmest. Alas, “The Drake” wasn’t entirely calm! Nevertheless, wandering among thousands of baying penguins and barking Fur Seals, admiring the effortlessly soaring great albatrosses, masterfully arching prions, and petrels, and sailing among bergs of ancient ice was an extraordinary natural history experience.

In this presentation Magnus will share some impressions and photos of extraordinary birds and scenery. While this program will be available on Zoom, the wondrous photography, welcoming auditorium, and interactions with friends make going to the Campbell Center a good choice for many of you.

Magnus Persmark

Magnus was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, and grew up in a small town on the country’s southern coast. Much time was spent with family outside: rambling through forests, looking for wildflowers in springtime, picking mushrooms or berries in the fall, along with skiing, and ice skating on frozen lakes in winter. The ancient Swedish law of common access to private lands made it easy and safe for kids to roam. It was inevitable, perhaps, that birds would pose a particular fascination, and Magnus got his first binoculars from his grandparents at age 10. Excepting a brief teenage hiatus, he has been birding ever since. As part of biochemistry graduate school, he moved to California for a year in the late 80s, and 30-plus years later he still calls the USA home. He and his wife have enjoyed living in Eugene since 2005.

This LCAS Program will be available in person as well as via Zoom. The location is Campbell Senior Center, 155 High Street, in Eugene, near Skinner’s Butte, start time 7 pm. The Zoom link will be available one week before the event on the LCAS website and Facebook page.